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Family name: Di Centa
Given name: Manuela
Date and place of birth: 31 January 1963 in Paluzza (Italy)
Nationality: Italian
Olympic achievements:
Albertville 1992: bronze medal in the 4x5km relay
Lillehammer 1994: gold medals in the 15km mass start and 30km freestyle, silver medals in the 5km classic and 10km pursuit, and bronze medal in the 4x5km relay
Nagano 1998: bronze medal in the 4x5km relay

Manuela Di Centa competed in five editions of the Olympic Winter Games (Sarajevo 1984, Calgary 1988, Albertville 1992, Lillehammer 1994 and Nagano 1998). But it was at the Games in Lillehammer that she produced her greatest achievement, winning a medal in each of the five cross country skiing events (bronze in the 4x5km relay, silver in the 5km classic and 10km pursuit and gold in the 15km classic and 30km freestyle).

In 1998, she retired from competition sport, but continued to pursue various challenges and projects. In 1999, she became an IOC member and began a career as a television presenter in Italy. In 2003, she set a new record, becoming the first Italian woman to climb Mount Everest.